ADHD Right to Choose (RTC) Referrals

 
If you think you may have ADHD, you have the legal right to choose an NHS-contracted provider for your first outpatient ADHD assessment through the NHS Right to Choose (RTC) scheme. Different providers offer different services, and it is important that you understand what is included before choosing a provider. 
 
Choosing the Right Provider
Some Right to Choose providers offer:
  • ADHD assessment only
  • ADHD assessment and medication treatment
  • ADHD assessment, medication titration and prescribing
  • Post-diagnostic support
Not all providers offer the same services. Some providers only carry out assessments and do not provide medication treatment or ongoing prescribing.
 
Where Can I Find Information About Providers?
South West London ICB maintains information about approved ADHD and Autism Right to Choose providers, including details of the services they offer and links to provider websites.
 
 
Before requesting a referral, we strongly recommend that you review the information provided by the ICB and the provider's own website. 
 
What Should I Look For?
Before choosing a provider, please check:
✅ Do they offer ADHD assessments?
✅ Do they offer medication titration if ADHD is diagnosed?
✅ Do they provide ongoing prescribing?
✅ What are their current waiting times?
✅ Are appointments delivered online or face-to-face?
 
Many Right to Choose providers offer appointments remotely via video consultation. 

 

Important Information About Assessment and Treatment

We strongly recommend choosing a provider that offers both assessment and treatment.
We have seen situations where patients have been assessed by one provider and then sought treatment from another provider. Many ADHD providers will not accept patients for treatment alone and may require the patient to undergo a further assessment before treatment can begin. Some will also not see patients who have already been assessed elsewhere. 
 
This may result in:
  • Delays in starting treatment
  • Additional referrals being required
  • Further waiting times
  • Reassessment by another provider
For this reason, if you think you may wish to consider ADHD medication following diagnosis, we strongly advise choosing a provider that offers the complete pathway of assessment, treatment and prescribing.

 

Returning to NHS Services After a Right to Choose Assessment

If you choose a Right to Choose provider and later decide that you would like care from an NHS ADHD service, please be aware that:
 
  • A new GP referral may be required.
  • You will normally join the NHS waiting list.
  • You may need to start the process again.
  • NHS services are not generally expected to take over treatment part-way through another provider's pathway.

Shared Care Agreements

If ADHD medication is recommended and your treatment has been stabilised by the specialist service, a Shared Care Agreement may be requested.
 
Please note that:
  • Shared care is considered on an individual basis.
  • Shared care is not guaranteed.
  • GP practices are not contractually required to enter into shared care arrangements.
  • Acceptance of shared care remains at the discretion of the practice.

Before Requesting a Referral from Chartfield Surgery

Please ensure that you:
  • Have reviewed the information on the South West London ICB website.
  • Have chosen the provider you wish to be referred to.
  • Understand what services that provider offers.
  • Have checked whether the provider offers assessment only or both assessment and treatment.
When submitting your request, please tell us the name of your chosen provider.
 
Important: Chartfield Surgery strongly recommends that patients choose a Right to Choose provider that offers both ADHD assessment and treatment. Choosing an assessment-only provider may lead to delays in accessing treatment, and some providers may not accept patients who have already been assessed elsewhere.